THE Gledholt Male Voice choir of Huddersfield are coming to raise the roof and their voices in both Ilminster and Chard.

The past chairman of the choir, Frank Crampton's maternal family originated from South Somerset and his sister Gwyn lives in Ilminster.

It was Frank's wish the choir could on one of its tours come down to the area.

Sadly Frank contracted lymphoma and leukaemia and passed away at just past 60 years of age before his wish could be fulfilled.

The choir together with sister Gwyn decided they would carry out his plan and have worked with Ilminster Experience to arrange for the tour In June.

The choir will perform on Saturday, June 10, at 7.30pm, in the Minster Church Ilminster and on Sunday, June 11, at St Mary's church Chard again at 7.30pm .

The choir are paying for their own transport and hotel fees, as it is hoped that as much money as possible be raised for the Lymphoma association who care for persons and families afflicted with this terrible disease, which is the 5th most common cancer.

The Gledholt Male Voice Choir of Huddersfield was founded in 1948 and is one of the leading choirs in West Yorkshire, an area famed for its musical traditions.

The choirs Musical Director is Susan Wilkinson who has created a programme which, in addition to male voice choir favourites, will draw on the choirs repertoire of classical and choral songs, patriotic numbers, spirituals, songs from the shows, religious pieces, and a range of popular music through the decades.

The choir has appeared on BBC Songs of Praise and has given concerts in France and Belgium, where they sang at the Menin Gate Memorial in Ypres.

They have performed at many venues in the United Kingdom including the National Eisteddfod of Wales, the Cornwall International Male Voice Choral Festival, in the Eden Project, at the Beamish Museum, in Fountains Abbey and as part of massed choir events at the Royal Albert Hall.

This event in the Minster will be one of the highlights of this years Ilminster Midsummer Experience.

Similarly, St Mary's church Chard is a magnificent venue with excellent acoustics.

Early booking is recommended.

Tickets for the Minster Church performance can be obtained from Harrimans, Silver Street ,Ilminster or telephone Gwyn at 01460 259371

For the Chard concert tickets can be obtained from Elios, Fore St Chard, from Barrons, Holyrood St Chard or from Gwyn 01460 259371

All tickets are £7 if purchased in advance or £8 on the door.

All proceeds to Lymphoma Society.